This post is dedicated to different types of Marine Animals in the Côte d’Azur. This is an overview of what types of Marine Animals you will see diving in our part of the Mediterranean. I will be updating it regularly with new critters.

You can see many of my critter photos geo-located on Flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/azur-diving/map?&fLat=43.6915&fLon=7.2985&zl=3

See Fish here:

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Anemones

There are several anemones that are quite common in the Côte d’Azur. Some of these are often host to a variety of shrimps, crabs,  and small fishes. Anemone de mer verte, which is one of the most common, can be easily distinguished by the purple tips, which stick to anything they touch. Be careful about putting your hands in, they can cause damage to your skin.

Doris Link (French): link

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Anilocre, Poux de poisson, Anilocra, fish-flea

This parasite is actually a small crustacean. It is found in many areas of the world, and there are at least 48 listed varieties. They tend to be small, between 1-3 centimeters, even though they can get to be as large as 10 cm in rare cases.

Doris Link (French): link

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Calmar, Squid

This animal is typically found in open water, often at depth. I have seen some from the boat way out, far from shore. The photos above came from one that washed ashore after a stormy night.

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Ceinture de Vénus, Venus Girdle

This unique creature can reach up to 1.5 meters. You can see it swimming generally in open waters often in winter, less in summer. It feeds on plankton, and swims in a very unique, undulating fashion.

Doris Link (French): link

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Concombre de Mer, Sea Cucumber

Sea cucumbers are seen just about everywhere, in multiple species and varieties.

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Crab

There are a a wide variety of different types of crab to be found in the Mediterranean Sea. You can find just about any shapes and size at just about any depth you can dive to. The above are just a few.

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Crevettes, Shrimp

Can be found in all kinds of places, all depths, and in a variety of locations. Often found in holes in the rocks, or cleaning the teeth of eels, you can even find teeny tiny ones floating freely in the water if you look close enough. One of the photos below is a super tiny shrimp that is set on the tip of my finger.

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Etoile de mer, Starfish

Starfish can generally be found at any depth up to 250 meters. They feed mostly on mollusks. They are also the victim of overfishing in many areas, due to the fact that they are often taken, dried, and sold as a tourist souvenir.

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Flabellines and Nudibranches

Nudibranches and flabellines come in all different types of varieties and colors. Generally they are very small, less than 1-4 centimeters in length. Some varieties can grow quite a bit larger though.  They can be found at just about any depths, but I have seen the majority at depths of 15 meters or more. If you see one, count yourself lucky!

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Grande Nacre, Fan Mussel

The Grande Nacre can grow to pretty immense size, up to one meter! It is an endangered species, and is protected. If you see one, please don’t touch it or cause any harm to it. There are precious few left.

Doris Link (French): link

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Lobsters

Lobsters are usually found at depths of below 15-20 meters, so don’t plan on seeing any unless you are diving. Even so, they are usually pretty well hidden in holes or in crevasses.

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Macro plankton

There are loads of critters called “Macro Plankton” that can be found, generally in open water. They float on teh various currents and eat plankton.

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Murène commune, Mediterranean moray, moray eel

Holing up in crevasses and pockets in the rocks, they are usually seen just as a little head poking out of a rock formation. It is truly lucky (and beautiful) to see them roaming. You are probably wondering if the eels are dangerous. The answer is no, no, no and no. There are other varieties elsewhere that are perhaps more dangerous, but the variety we have here is absolutely non-venomous, non-electric-shock-producing, and not at all aggressive (their slime can be MILDLY toxic however, if eaten with improper preparation, or if you get a generous amount of the slime into a wound, you may have some complications). There is a lot of misinformation about them (even among the locals). In fact, if you know what you are doing, you can get close to them without issues. They WILL bite if threatened. That is why, before you go reaching into holes, you make sure you look where your hand is going. If you get bit, the best thing to do (or NOT do) is to not pull your hand back. The eel will typically bite, hold a sec, and then drop it right after. You will do more damage from pulling back against their razor-sharp curved teeth than from the bite itself. Rather than a straight bite, you will get tears. See a doctor right away if you do get bit, but it happens so rarely that it is a non-issue. Just respect them and you can get real close if you approach slowly and avoid jerky movements. They are great to see, and as long as you are prudent, you will be able to enjoy your encounter.

Doris Link (French): link

Wikipedia Link: (English): link

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Pélagie, Luminescent Jellyfish, Pink Jellyfish

You will see them hanging out in droves at certain times in the summer. If you are in the water, or snorkeling, make sure yo keep an eye out at about water-level, because that is where they tend to hang out. I find them difficult to see when snorkeling, because I am always looking down, , and I can run right into them.When diving, or when I have a wetsuit on, they are no problem. Don’t worry too much about getting stung. It stings pretty bad, but it goes away eventually. You might have some redness for a day or so, or even mild burn-like symptoms in sever cases. The only problem is that in rare cases, some people can be allergic. If you have an allergic reaction, or think you may be having one after a sting, get to a doctor! Generally, for most people, they fall into the nuisance category though.

Doris Link (French): link

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Méduse œuf au plat, or egg jellyfish

These are pretty rare, and can be found just about anywhere, from open water to near the coast. They are pretty nomadic, and you should count yourself lucky if you come across one. They can get pretty large in size, and are quite beautiful creatures in my opinion. They can often be seen with little fish living in symbiosis with them. Don’t touch them, they can sting pretty bad.

Doris Link (French): link

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Rhizostome

Extremely rare and extremely beautiful, the Rhizostome can get very large, about the height of a full grown man from head to tail. They are usually found in open water, and not often by shore. Like the egg jellyfish, they often can be found with small symbiotic colonies of fish living in them and traveling the seas. Like other jellyfish, if you see one, be sure to keep your distance as they will give a nice chemical burn.

Doris Link (French): link

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Poulpe – Octopus

Timid yet playful and curious, you can sometimes find octopus hiding in or under things (they often hang out in the same place for days or weeks). From rocks and crevasses to holes and overhangs, they are always a nice surprise. Most of the time they hide themselves away upon approach, but sometimes they will hang out. I have heard divers say that if you hang around long enough and wiggle your finger on front of them, they will play with it eventually. Watch for them to change color.

Doris Link (French): link

Wikipedia Link: (English): link

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Raie, Ray

There are some around, but don’t expect to see any around Nice. I saw these in Corsica

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Seiche – Cuttlefish

These guys are extremely difficult to see. I used to think they were very rare, but now I am convinced they are just plain hard to see. There is one place I know of that I can find the smaller species almost every time I visit. Even though I know where they usually hang out, it is VERY difficult to see them, even in plain sight. They tend to blend like chameleons, and can change their color rapidly. Even though they are very scared of humans, they can be quite curious. If you know what you are doing, you can sometimes coax them into letting you pet them.

Doris Link (French): large variety small variety

Wikipedia Link (English): link

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Spirograph, Spiral Tube-Worm

These may look like plants, but they are actually small worms that extend their plumes to feed on microorganisms in the water. They come in several different color combinations. If you see one, approach slowly. If you agitate the water too much, they will hide quickly. It is truly amazing to see them hide. Poof! They are gone, just like that.

Doris Link (French): link

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